Ecumenical Patriarchate Defrocks Paisios and Vikentios - Updated

Theodore Kalmoukos

Special to The National Herald

CONSTANTINOPLE – The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on March 28 unanimously defrocked Metropolitan Paisios of Tyana and Bishop Vikentios of Apameia from the high priesthood, relegating them to mere monks. Paisios traveled to Constantinople and appeared before the Synod to defend himself, while Vikentios remained in New York and stated that he was unable to make the trip due to health reasons. The Patriarchate made its decision because of serious ethical reasons that took place within the Monastery. TNH broke the news that morning, minutes after the Synod had reached its decision. A little over an hour later, the Patriarchate issued an official news release, which stated that “it is announced that at today’s meeting of the Holy and Sacred Synod, upon the recommendation of the Canonical Committee and after extensive discussion, the penance of defrocking was imposed unanimously because of the canonical trespasses, to Metropolitan Paisios of Tyana and Bishop Vikentios of Apameia, former abbot and his deputy respectively, of the Patriarchal Monastery of St. Irene Chrysovalantou in Astoria, NY.

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March 28, 2012